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Did you know how cosmic rays affect our daily lives?
In our daily lives, cosmic rays seem to be an unreachable presence. However, these energy particles from the depths of the universe can actually have a profound impact on our lifestyle, health and technology products. Cosmic rays are everywhere, from our cell phones to medical devices, and their impact on us cannot be underestimated.
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles coming from space, mostly protons and some composed of atomic nuclei made of heavy elements. These particles travel at high speeds across the sky, and when they collide with Earth's atmosphere, they create many derivative particles. These energy particles exhibit diverse effects, affecting matter, equipment, and even human health to varying degrees.
High doses of ionizing radiation can cause damage to living tissue, such as radiation burns or cause cell mutations, increasing the risk of cancer.
According to scientific research, the impact of cosmic rays is not limited to the realm of high-energy physics. They are also related to the safety of life and the advancement of science and technology. For example, in relation to electronic products such as mobile phones and computers, cosmic ray radiation can cause the failure of semiconductor materials. Especially in fourth-generation semiconductors, their resistance to radiation is particularly important.
The impact of cosmic rays on materials
In materials science, radiation damage caused by cosmic rays is called radiation damage. This damage is particularly critical to metal and concrete structures in nuclear reactors. Under continuous radiation bombardment, materials accumulate defects that degrade their mechanical properties and ultimately affect their usefulness. For example, in nuclear power plants, the strength of concrete structures may decrease significantly with radiation exposure.
The phenomenon of radiation hardening strengthens the strength of materials through the process of defect aggregation, but reduces its toughness and increases the risk of brittle failure.
In addition, the physical properties of polymers may also change under the influence of cosmic rays. For example, radiation can cause the bonds between polymer chains to form cross-links in a high-energy environment, enhancing its strength and durability; at the same time, chain breakage may also cause the material's strength to decrease and increase its brittleness.
Cosmic rays and health
When it comes to human health, the long-term effects of exposure to cosmic rays need more attention. Although the amount of cosmic ray exposure on the surface is relatively low, for astronauts, pilots and other occupations at high altitudes or in space, the radiation dose is significantly higher, and the long-term health risks need to be studied urgently. Cosmic rays may increase the incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even affect fertility.
We should rethink the hidden dangers and potential future impacts of cosmic rays on health and safety.
In addition to health effects, cosmic rays can interfere with daily life by affecting the operation of electronic devices. For example, during flight, cosmic rays can produce unstable, transient radiation that affects satellites, phones, and other devices that rely on electronic components.
Future response strategies
In the future, monitoring and research on the effects of cosmic rays must be strengthened to formulate better protective measures. Current technology has begun to improve and strengthen ray-sensitive materials to reduce their negative effects. In addition, some scientists are considering using new polymers and materials to improve resistance to radiation.
In this cosmic age, should we pay more attention to these seemingly small forces that are difficult to detect but deeply affect our lives?
